Marshawn Lloyd Poised for Breakout Role with the Packers

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (32) has played just one game in his first two seasons.

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Cautiously optimistic.

After enduring two injury‑marred seasons, Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd is hopeful that his fortunes are finally turning. He aims to move beyond the limited role he played in his first two years, where he logged only one game and ten snaps.

“I feel really good,” Lloyd said following the Packers’ first training‑camp practice on Wednesday. “I really do.”

Drafted in the third round of 2024, Lloyd appeared in only a single game during his rookie season. He missed the season opener due to a hamstring issue and, after seeing limited action in Week 2, was placed on injured reserve for seven weeks because of an ankle problem.

When he finally seemed ready to return, Lloyd underwent emergency appendix surgery and missed the remainder of the season.

In the following season, Lloyd never received meaningful playing time, remaining on injured reserve for the entire year because of a hamstring injury.

During the offseason, Lloyd worked extensively with Dr. John Meyer at the Meyer Institute of Sport in El Segundo, California. Meyer’s team identified that Lloyd was overcompensating in his lower‑body training.

“He’s the real deal,” Lloyd said of Meyer. “I underwent numerous assessments, and he observed how I moved and where I was compensating. He targeted those areas, emphasizing single‑leg work to strengthen my quads and hamstrings.”

Lloyd said that when training camp began last season, he remained uncertain about his health.

Now, he feels markedly different.

“To be honest, my overall strength has improved dramatically,” Lloyd explained. “I have developed substantial single‑leg strength and feel stronger across my hips and throughout my entire body, which makes me feel physically different.”

The Packers lack a proven backup running back behind starter Josh Jacobs, and Jacobs continues to face uncertainty following his May 26 arrest for domestic disturbance.

Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst was asked whether Jacobs might face NFL disciplinary action.

“It’s really out of our hands right now,” Gutekunst said. “That’s a legal matter.”

Regardless of Jacobs’ situation, the Packers need any production they can get from Lloyd. The team lost their effective No. 2 back, Emanuel Wilson, earlier this offseason, and the remaining options, such as Chris Brooks, are more reliable as blockers than as rushers.

Consequently, this appears to be a make‑or‑break moment for Lloyd.

Lloyd spent three seasons at South Carolina before playing his final college year at USC in 2023, where he posted a career‑best 820 rushing yards, nine touchdowns, and a 7.1‑yard average per carry.

Standing 5‑foot‑8½, Lloyd was selected fourth among running backs in the 2024 draft, following Texas’ Jonathon Brooks (pick 46 to Carolina), Florida State’s Trey Benson (pick 66 to Arizona), and Michigan’s Blake Corum (pick 83 to the Los Angeles Rams).

During the draft weekend, Lloyd made an ambitious claim.

“I’m the best running back in this draft, without a doubt,” Lloyd asserted.

He has never had the opportunity to demonstrate that claim due to injuries.

Hopefully, finally, things could be different.

“The proof will be in the results,” he said.

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